Briqueting-machine.



N5. 724,583. v PATBNTED APR, 7,1903.

W. AJKNEMAN. 1 f

BRIQUETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1902. l

No MODEL. n j Z6 a i I 9SHBETB-BHEEE51,

wwwww`ww www w w 7 v 9 SHEETS--SHE PATENTED APR, 7, 1903.

` No. 724,588@ Y W.- A. KNEMAN.

BRIQUETING MACHINE. APPLICATION F'ILED JULY 30, 19,02.

INN. um

W/ New m ,KN M. ,RNN.

No. 724,588. --PATBNTED APR. 7, 190s.

W. A., KNEMAN. BRIQUETING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1902. H0 MODEL. l 9 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

.mi M i JS L/ PATBNTED APR. 7, 190s. W. A. KNBMAN. BRIQUETING MACHINE.

' APPLIOATIOI FILED JULY 30, 1902.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

' .l0 MODEL.

....iiiiiiii No. 724,588. PATENTED APR. '1, 190s. W. A. /KNEMAN BRIQUETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

PATBNTBD Amy?, 19031 y ,NOL 724,588.

- WIA. KNBMAN.

BRIQUETING MACHINE. y A.P PLIOATION FILED JULY- 30, 1902. I )d Q- 9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

l No MODEL.

lhvrrnn STATES" PATENT Errea.

TIoNAL FUEL COMPANY, NEW JERSEY.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF yBewanErme-NIA()MINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 724,588, dated April 7, 1903.

l Application iiled `l'nly 30, 1902. Serial No. 117.649. (No model.) l

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. KNEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State o f Illinois, have invented a new and useful lmprovement in Briqueting-Machines, of which the following is a specification. y

My invention relates to improvements in machines for forming briquets from granular 1o or pulverulent material--such as culm or coal-dust, finely-divided ore, or the like-and while my improved machine as herein illustrated is designed more especially for the production of certain fuel-briquets my present l5 invention is not to be limited thereto.

The fuel-briquets referred to are formed under pressure frompulverized anthracite, bituminous, or other coal, or a mixture of dierent coals in a pulverized state, with 2o which is intimately associated a more or less small proportion of liquid or semiliquid agglutinatingmaterial. Thebriquetswhen tinished should be sufciently hard and compact to withstand disintegration in shipment and 25 handling, and to obtain these results I have found it necessary to provide against difficulties which are n ot present in the manufacture of bricks, 85e. from plastic or semiplastic coal or the like, and therefore do not have to be 3o overcome in the use of ordinary brick-making machines.

When abriquet such as described is formed by quick compression, as is usual vin brickmachines, it is apt after leaving the machine to develop flaws which tend to weaken it, so that it will not remain intact under ordinary rough handling. The principal reason for this is that the loose pulverulent mass as it is necessarily fed to thecompressing-molds 4o contains a large percentage of atmospheric air, which cannot escape Ytherefrom rapidly enough while quick compression is being performed in machines as hitherto usually provided. The air contained in the mass of pulverized material is compressed therewith and confined thereby, and after the briquet is formed the air expands with force sufficient to produce the fiaws mentioned.

My object is to provide a machine of gen- 5o erally improved construction in which the compressing operation will be performed in a manner to insure the production of uniformly l compact and fiawless briquets.

Itis also my object to provide a machine which will have large capacity and compara# tively small power requirements, which shall be comparatively inexpensiveto construct, maintain, and operate, and which shall be particularly well adapted forthe purpose of making briquets such as referred to.

In carrying. out my invention I provide mechanism for elfecting comparatively slow, graduaL'and positive compression of the briquet material with facilities for insuring the escape of air mixed with the material, all the working parts being readily accessible and of great strength and durability.

In the drawings, Figures l and 2 taken together form a sectional side elevation of the entire machine, the section being taken just within one of the side framesbr cheeks of the machine.v Figs. 3, 4c, and 5 taken together form an enlarged broken longitudinal section through the machine on line 3 in Fig. 6; Figs. 6 and 6a, sections taken, respectively, onthe irregular line 6 and line 6 in Fig. l; Fig. 7, a plan and sectional View taken on line 7 '7 in Fig. 63;. Figs. 8 and 9, views taken, respectively, on lines 8 8 and Qin Fig. 2 and viewed as indicated by the arrows; Fig. l0, a plan view of a bed across which the molds move in the briquet-forming operation, and Fig. 1l a side view of the features shown in Fig. 10.

A A are the side frames or cheeks of the machine, suitably constructed for vstrength and to affordv side supports for parts and bearings for shafts, all as hereinafter described. v 1 y Fitting between the cheeks A in the lower part of the machine is a bed B, extending longitudinally of the frame and securely fastened in place by bolts ct, extending through thel cheeks A. In the bed B are four parallel longitudinally-extending series ofsockets b, (see Fig. 6%) formed with recesses b' in .opposife sides, presenting journal-bearings forlongitudinal series of closely-adjacent bearing-rollers B', the said rollers forming an antifriction-bed. .lournaled in bearings ontlie side cheeks is a drive-shaft C, carrying a drive-pulley C and a pinion C2. Also journaled in bearings on the cheeks are shafts D, E, T, and G in the relative positions shown. Beyond one side the shaft D carries a large gear-wheel C2, which meshes with and is driven from the pinion C2. On the shaft D and suitably secured thereto is a drum D, having a peripheral polygonal surface formed of a number of adjacent flat faces of equal width around the drum. On the shaft E is a similar drum E', (shown one-half in section in Fig. 8,) and as the drums D F. are exactly similar in construction a description of the drinn E will suffice for both. The drum is upon outer and central spiders E2, having hubs fitting the shaft E. In the many-sided peripheral face E2 are three circumferential sockets E, one at the center over the central spider E2 and the others toward opposite ends of the drum.

F is a bed extending above the bed B between the drums D E'. The bed has attaching leg portions F F2 at opposite ends formed with shoulders y, which rest, as shown in Fig. 9, on shoulders in the cheeks A, and the bed is firmly secured in place by bolts a. j The upper surface of the bed F is Hat and provided with three longitudinally-extending recesses or grooves c, leaving the four plane horizontal surfaces d, as shown in Fig. 10. The bases c of the recesses c are inclined to present inclined planes, as shown, and between the points c2 c2 in Fig. 1l the metal of the base F is cut away to present openings, which are fitted with blocks F2. The blocks are formed in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 6, with flanges e, which titagainst the under surfaces of the bed F and are bolted thereto to hold the blocks firmly in place. On the upper surfaces of the blocks F3 are removable and replaceable wearing-plates c, presenting inclined planes for a purpose hereinafter described. In the faces (Z of the bed F are longitudinal series of recesses d to receive antifriction bearing-rollers d2,joi1rnaled in opposite sides of the sockets in recesses (Z2, as shown most plainly in Figs. 6 and 9. The outer faces d d of the bed are provided each with one row orseries of antifricton-rollers d2, while the intermediate faces (l CZ are provided each with two rows or series of antifrictionrollers d2. Integral with the bed F are three backward-extending arms F4, which register with the grooves c and at their free ends are curved in the downward direction, as shown, to extend in the sockets E1 of the drum D over and down to or nearly to the horizontal plane of the shaft D. The uppersurfaces of thearms F4 form inclined-plane continuations of the surfaces c.

H is an endless belt or chain formed of slats or links H. As the links H are all construted alike, a description of one will answer for all. Each link is of a length somewhat exceeding the distance between the outer rows of wheels d2, as shown in Fig. G. At the upper edges of the link are a forward-extending fiaugef, pre senting an inclined edge f', and at the opposite or rear upper edge of the link is a backward-extending fiange g, having an inclined edge f/ to overlap the edge f of the next adjacent link. 'lhus the links overlap each other where the belt H extends in a straight line. At the lower opposite sides of the links are forward and backward extending intel'- meshing perforated projections 71 at which the links are pivotally connected together by means of pins 7L. In each link H in the construction shown are three mold-sockets H2 each constituting a mold-section, one at the center and one toward each end. Through the bases of the sockets are openings 'L'. The mold-sections H2 may be cylindrical, as shown, or of any other desired shape in cross-section. In each mold-section H2 is a plunger H3, having a head z" and a shank or stern ft2. The head t" is of the shape in cross-section of the mold-socket H2 and fits therein with sufficient looseness to slide readily. The stem 'i' of each plunger passes through au opening 't'. Journaled in the free end of the stem of each plunger is an antifriction-roller 2, and confined between a shoulder i on the stein and the adjacent under surface of the link is a retracting-spring 5. I prefer to form the head of each plunger with a concave upper face i, as shown. The tendency of the springs 5 is to draw the heads of the plungers into the bases of the mold sections .or sockets, and the capacity of each mold is governed by the distance of the plunger-head from the top of the socket when the spring has'lowered the head to the lowest limit in the socket. To properly limit the capacity of the mold-sockets, I provide shims is between the plunger-head and socket-base. These shims may be increased in number in each instance to limit the capacity of the socket. or be diminished in number t-o increase said capacity, as desired. Between the sockets H2 the links may be hollow, as shown, to save metal and render them lighter, and at opposite sides of each of' the openings 't the links present on their under sides bearing-surfaces t7. The links correspond in width to the size of the polygonal spaces forming the peripheral faces of the drums D E, and the chain H is stretched around said drums to bear closely against said polygonal faces, whereby the turning of the drum D drives the chain and turns the drum E'. The shaft E of the d ru m E is mounted in journal-boxes 7c, (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2,) which journal-boxes may be adjust ed ina common manner, as by means of the adjusting-screws k, longitudinally of the frame ofthe machine. Thus the belt or chain may be tensioned by adjusting the shaft E toward or away from the shaft D. The plunger shanks or stems 2 in the movement of the belt pass freely through the grooves or recesses E4 in the drums E D' and the grooves c of the bed F. In the'passage of the links from the drum IIO vraise` the plunger-heads toward the mouths of the socket-molds, Ithe raising being continued in the further movement of the roller 3 along the surfaces c' and upper surfaces of the arms F4, all as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. Infthe movement of the belt the links at the lower stretch thereof ride at their outer surfaces on the antifriction-rollers B of the bed B. At opposite ends of the links H are teeth h2,which may be of the form shown. The shaft T is in a plane somewhat higher than the shaft G. On the said shafts are drums Tl G', formed with polygonal circumferential faces 'I2 G2, corresponding in size with the circumferential faces ofl the drums D E described. The drums T G are constructed like the drums D E', except that they have no circumferential recesses E4. At opposite ends of each of the upper drums at the centers of the dat faces are radiallyprojecting teeth Z.

I is an endless belt or chain of a width corresponding with the width of the belt or chain H described. It is formed of an endless series of similarly-constructed links I', consisting of plates or strips having flat inner surfaces m and outer surfaces m'. At opposite sides the strips or links I' are formed with perforated intermeshing projections m2, at which the links are pivotally connected together by means of pins m3. The projections m2 are rounded at their outer ends, as shown, and fit into rounded recesses m4 in the next adjacent links, so that the joints between links are close and the belt presents a substantially continuons surface m'. In the cenlters of the sides fm. of the links l at oppositeA ends are sockets m5 to receive the teeth l of the drum. In the faces m' of the links at the center and toward opposite ends are moldcovering sections or sockets I2 of the same size as and `adapted to register and cooperate with the mold-sections H: of the belt H. The sockets I2 may be of the same concave form as the faces i of the plunger-heads t".

Extending between the drums T' G and mounted at opposite sides in the cheeks A is a horizontally-extending plate or support K, strengthened by cross-extending ribs K on its upper side.

L is a suspended bed-plate extending from close to the drum G nearly to the drum T'. Projecting upward from the upper surface of the bed L and fastened tor said bed are parallel series of bolts Kpassing loosely through perforations n in the supporting-plate K. O nV the upper ends of the bolt-s K2 are nuts K3, which bear upon the support to sustain the bed'L andby means of which the bed may be raised and lowered for adjustment. Snrl,rounding the bolts K2 and confined between the supporting-plate K and upper surface of the bed L are stiff springs K4, which press downward upon the bed L lt0 cushion the same in the vertical plane. The bed is formed from its end adjacent to the drum G to a line p with a fiat horizontal surface L', parallel to the surface of the bed F, and from the line p to the end adjacent to the drum T the under side of the bed L pitches upward at a slight angle to present the gradually-rising face L2. In the under face of the bed L are recesses p', in which are mounted antif riction-rollers L3. As shown in Fig. 6, eight longitudinally-extending series of closely-adjacent rollers L3 are provided, all journaled in bearings p2 on the bed, whereby the under surfaces of the rollers present a-n angular bearing-plane parallel with the surfaces L L2, as shown.

Above the support K is a support M in a plane above and parallel with a line drawn from the center of the shaft T to the center of the shaft G, whereby it inclines slightly from the drum T toward the drum G. The support M is securely fastened at opposite sides to the cheeks A. It consists of a plate provided in its upper surface with grooves or recesses in which are journaled longitudinally-extending series of antifriction rollers M.

At opposite ends of the links I'are outward-projecting teeth m6 of substantially the same shape as and adapted to engage with the teeth h2 at opposite edges of the chain or belt H.

The chain or belt I fits tightly over the drums T G, the teeth on the drums engaging the sockets m5 in the links. The lower side of this chain or belt rides at its inner or upper f ace at the lower stretch on the surface formed bythe antifriction-rollers L3 of the bed L, while the upper stretch of the chain or belt I rides between the drums on the bed formed by the antifriction-rollers M. The belt or chain I is drivenV by the engagement of the teeth h2 of the belt H with the teeth m6, and the said upper chain or belt I drives the drums T G'.

Just beyond the drum G and parallel therewith is a hopper N,m0unted in the frame and presenting outlet-spouts N over the paths of the mold-sections H2. Mounted in each spout N'. is a vertical feed-screw N2, the said screws being on vertical shafts N3, carrying bevel-gears N4 at their upper ends. The three shafts N3 are drivenv from a horizontal shaft N5, which carries bevel-gears N", meshing with the gears N4. On the shaft N5 is a drive-pulley N7. b

Journaled in the cheeks A between the spouts Nf and drum G' is a horizontal shaft P, carrying a cylindrical brush P o'f a length corresponding with the width of the chain or belt H and y bearing upon the same.

On thegshaft P is a `drive-pulley P2. Arbelt IOO rse

R extends around a pulley R on the end of the drum E, over the pulley N7, under an idler x, and over the pulley I. Thus in the rotation of the drum E the feed-screws N2 and brush P are rotated.

In operation the material S to be formed into briquets is fed into the hopper N by any ysuitable means, and in the rotation of the feed-screws N2 is forced in the downward direction. The chain or belt H moves in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5, whereby the mold-sections H2 are carried successively beneath the spouts N and filled to their full capacity with the material S, the same being crowded into the molds by the feed-screws. As the molds thus filled pass along, the brush P,\vhich rotates as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5, brushes off the surface of thebelt and cleans the same of any material lying outside the molds. As the filled mold-sections pass beneath the drum G the companion mold-sections I2 move into register with and form covers for the moldsections Hthus completing the molds. When the rollers 'i3 commence to travel upon the inclined planes formed by the wearing-plates c4, the stems t2 and plunger-heads t" are forced gradually upward to compress the material S between the concave surfaces formed by the heads t" and recesses I2. From the drum G to the line p the belts or chains H I move in parallel planes and the compression ceases when the respective link I passes beyond the said line p, from which line the upper belt moves gradually in an upwardinclined direction away from the belt H, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The angle of the bed formed by the rollers L3 is greater with relation to the belt H than the angle of the inclined planes c'. Therefore the movement of the mold-sections 't2 in opening the molds is more rapid than that of the plungers H3. The compression is produced by the inclined planes at the wearing-plates c4and is withstood by the cushioned bed L. After passing the line p the plungers H3 continue to move in the direction of the mouths of the molds, so that when the rollers t3 reach the ends of the arms F4 the plungers have moved so nearly to said mouths that the briquets S are discharged. This discharge is aided by the centrifugal force in the movement of the belt around the drum D. The surfaces of the belts are close enough together during the compressing operation to confine the material S; but there is sufficient space between them to permit any air incorporated with the granular or pulverulent material to escape freely. The plunger-heads t fit the socketmolds with sufficient closeness to prevent the material S from passing between them; but they also allow air to escape in the downward direction around the plunger-heads. rlhus as the compression is brought about in a manner comparatively slow the air associated with the material S will escape instead of being confined and compressed with said material.

The springs K4 are sufficiently stiff to cause Y Although I have shown and described ay machine having three endless series of molds, the number may be increased or diminished, if desired. The feed-screws may be operated to deliver and crowd the material into the mold-sections no faster than necessary to insure the proper filling and initial packing of the material therein, so that the briquets when made will be uniform in size and density. The capacity of the molds may be increased or diminished by reducing or adding to the number of shims s in each, and to render this operation easy the heads or casters t, in which the rollers i3 are journaled, are removably fastened to the stems by means of removable pins tm. Substantially all the wear upon the inclined planes will be at the wearing-strips c4, which are removably fastened in place by screws c5, as shown in Fig. 10. If a greater degree of compression is desired, strips 'c4 may be provided of greater thickness toward the point or line p, where the final compression takes place. By reason of the fact that the plungers must travel nearly the entire length of the wearing-strips to form the briquets the compression upon the material S is comparatively slow. Therefore even when the machine is operated at comparatively high speed the compression will be so gradual that all air incorporated with the material can escape between the joints of the mold, thus insuring the production of uniform and flawless briquets.

The construction shown and described may obviously be modified in the matter of details without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined by the claims.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a briqueting-machine, a pair of companion traveling endless belts carrying cop- @rating mold-sections arranged to register with each other and travel together through a prolonged course in the mqvement of the belts, a compressing-plunger in a member of each pair of cooperating mold-sections, and an inclined plane in the path of said plungers operating to engage and actuate the plu ngers in their movement along said course to form the briquets.

2. In a briqueting-machine, a pair of companion traveling endless belts carrying coperating mold-sections arranged to register with each other and travel together through IOO IIO

a prolonged course in the movement of the belts, compressing-plungers in the mold-sec tions carried by one of said belts, and an inclined plane in the path of said plungers operating to engage and actuate the plungers in their movement along said course to form the briquets.

3. In a briqueting-machine, a pair of companion traveling endless belts carrying coperating mold-sections arranged to register with each other and travel together through a prolonged course in the movement of the belts, a compressing-plunger in a member of each pair of coperating mold-sections, beds across which said belts move in said course during the compressing operations, and an inclined plane in the path ofsaid plungers operating to engage and actuate the plungers in their movement along said course, to form the briquets.

4. In a briqueting-machine, a pair of companion traveling endless belts carrying co perating mold-sections arranged to register with each other and travel together through a prolonged course in the movement of the belts, a compressing-plunger in a member of each pair of cooperating mold-sections, beds across which said belts move in said course during the compressing operations, and an inclined plane in the path of'said plungers operating to engage and actuate the plungers in their movement along said course, to form the briquets, one of said beds being yielding.

5. In a briqueting machine, upper and lower horizontally-disposed companion traveling endless belts carrying cooperating moldseotions arranged to register with each other and travel together4 through a prolonged course in the movement of the belts, compressing-plungers in the mold-sections carried by the lower said belt, and au inclined plane within' the vertical plane bounded by said lower belt in the path of said plungers and operating to engage and actuate the plungers in their movement along said course tok form the briquets.

6. In abriqueting-machine, a pair of companion traveling endless belts carrying coperating mold-sections. arranged to register with each other and travel together through a prolonged course in Ithe movement of the belts, a compressing-plunger i-n a member of each pair of cooperating mold-sections, said plungers having stems and antifriction-rollers on the ends ofthe stems, and an inclined plane in the path of said rollers operating to through a prolonged course inthe movementv of the belts, a compressing-plunger in a member of each pair of coperating mold-sections, and an inclined plan/e in the path of said plungers operating to engage and actuate the plungers in their movement along said course to form the briquets.

8. In a briqueting-machine, a pair of .traveling belts each formed of an endless series of pivotallyconnected links formed with mold-sections, the mold-sections in the links of one belt registering and cooperating with companion mold-*sections in the links of the in the mold-sections of one said series of links',

and an inclined plane in the path of said plu ngers operating to engage and actuate the plungers in their movement along said course to form the briquets.

9. In a briqueting-machine, a pair of upper and lower horizontally-disposed traveling belts each formed of an endless series of pivotally-connected links formed with moldsections, the mold-sections in the links of one belt registering and `cooperating with oo mpanion mold-sections in the links of the other belt and remaining in close relation thereto through a prolonged course in the movement of -the belts, compressing plungers in the mold-sections of the lower said belt, and an inclined plane in the path of said plungers IOO traveling endless belts carrying cooperating e mold-sections, supporting-shafts toward opposite ends of the machine around which the belts travel, guide-beds for the belts between the shafts, so arranged that the belts move in closely adjacent parallelism through a prolonged course between the shafts and then recede from each other as they near the shaft at the delivery end of the machine, compressing-plungers in the mold-sections carried by one said belt, and an inclined plane in the path of, said plungers operating, to engage and actuate the plungers in their movement along said course, whereby the plungers While the mold-sections are together, form the briquets, and, in their further travel along said inclined plane beyond the point where the mold-sections commence to recede from eachother, the plungers discharge the briquets, substantially as set forth.

11. Ina briqueting-machine, the combination with means for feeding thereto the material to be briqueted, of upper and lower companion traveling endless belts, carrying coperating mold-sections,supporting-shafts toward opposite ends of the machine around which the belts travel, guide-beds for the belts between the shafts so arranged that the belts movein closely adjacent parallelism through a-prolonged course between the shafts and then recede from each other as they near the shafts at the delivery end of the machine, compressing-plungers in the mold-sections carried by the lower said belt, andan inclined plane in the path of said plungers operating to engage and actuate the plungers in their movement along said course, whereby the plungers, while 'the moldsections are together, form the briquets, and, in their further travel along said inclined plane beyond the point where the mold-sections commence to recede from each other the plungers discharge the briquets, substantiallyas set forth.

12. In a briqueting-machine, lower and upper shafts toward opposite ends of the machine, a drive-belt extending around said lower shafts formed with mold-sections, plungers in said mold-sections, a guide-bed for the upper stretch of said lower belt extending between said lower shafts, an inclined plane between said lower shafts in the path of said plungers operating to engage and raise said plungers in their movement along the path of the upperstretch of said lower belt, feed mechanism for the material to be briqueted operating to fill the mold-sections of said lower belt in the movement thereof, an upper belt traveling around said upper shafts carrying mold-covering sections, a guide-bed for said upper belt having a guide-surface parallel with the lower belt, and a receding guidesurface at an angle to said lower belt,whereby, in the movement of the belts from the said feed mechanism, the mold-covering sections register and travel in closely adjacent parallelism with said mold-sections through a prolonged course extending part way between said shafts, and then recede from said moldsections to open the molds, the plungers 0perating by engagement with said inclined plane to compress the briquets while the molds are closed, and discharge them after the molds are opened, substantially as set forth.

13. In a briqueting-machine, a traveling belt formed of an endless series of pivotallyconnected links having sockets forming moldsections, and openings at the bases of said sockets, plungers having heads in said sockets and stems working in said openings, in combination with an inclined plane in the path of said stems operating to engage and advance the plungers in the movement of said belt to compress the briquets, and a companion traveling belt having mold-covering sections supported to move parallel with and cooperating with said mold-sockets during the compressing operation.

14. In a briqueting-machine, a traveling belt formed of an endless series of pivotallyconnected links having sockets,forming moldsections, and openings at the bases of said sockets, plungers having heads in said sockets and stems working in said openings, and rollers on said stems, in combination with an inclined plane in the path of said rollers operating to engage the same and advance the plungers in the movement ofthe belt, to comy press the briquets, and a companion belt having mold-covering sections supported to move parallel with and cooperating with said moldsockets during the compressing operation.

15. In a briquetingmachine, a traveling belt formed ot' an endless series of pivotallyconnected links having sockets,forming moldsections, and openings at the bases of said sockets, plungers having heads in said sockets, stems working in said openings, and plunger-retracting springs on said stems, in combination with an inclined plane in the path of the ends of said stems operating to engage and advance the plungers in the movement of the said belt to compress the briquets, and a companion traveling belt having mold-covering sections supported to move parallel with and cooperate with said moldsockets during the compressing operation.

16. In a briqueting-machine, a traveling belt formed of an endless series of pivotallyconnected links having sockets forming moldsections, and openings at the bases of said sockets, plungers having heads in said sockets and stems working in said openings, in combination with an inclined plane in the path of the ends of said stems operating to engage and advance the plungers in the movement of said belt to compress the briquets, a companion traveling belt having mold-covering sections supported to move parallel with and cooperate with said mold-sections during the compressing operation, and guide-beds across which the belts move in the compressing operation.

17. In a briqueting-machine, a traveling belt formed of an endless series of pivotallyconnected links having sockets forming moldsections, and openings at the bases of said sockets, plungers having heads in said sockets and stems working in said openings, in combinationwith an inclined plane in the path of the ends of said stems operating to engage and advance the plungers in the movement of said belt to compress the briquets, a companion traveling belt having mold-covering sections supported to move parallel with and cooperate with said mold-'sections during the compressing operation, and guide-beds across which the belts move in .the compressing operation, one of said guide-beds being yielding.

1S. In a briqueting-machine, a traveling belt formed of an endless series of pivotallyconnected overlapping links having sockets, forming mold-sections, and openings at the bases of said sockets, plungers having heads in said sockets and stems working in said openings, in combination with an inclined plane in the path of the ends of said stems operating to engage and advance the plungers in the movement of said belt to compress the briquets, feeding mechanism for the material to be formed into briquets above the path of said belt toward one end, and a companion traveling belt having mold-covering IIO sections supported to move parallel with and coperate with said mold-sockets during the.

compressing operation.

19. In a briqueting-machine, a pair of travelin g belts each formed of an endless series of pivotally-con'nected links,a plurality of adjacent-lying mold-sections in the links of one belt registering and coperating with companion mold-sections in the links of the other belt and remaining in close relation thereto through a prolonged course in themovement ot' the belts, a compressing-plunger in a member of each pair of cooperating mold-sections, and inclined planes in the paths of said plun-- gers operating to engage and actuate the plungers in their movement along said course Vto form the briquets.

20. In a briqueting-machine, a pair of upper and lower traveling belts each formed of an endlessseries of pivotally-connected links formed with mold-sections, the mold-sections in the links of one belt registering with and coperating with companion mold-sections in the links of the other belt and remaining in close relation -thereto through a prolonged course in the movement of the belts, compressing-plungers in the mold-sections of one said series of links, an inclined plane in the path of said plungers operating to engage and actuate the plungers in the movement along said course to form the briquets, a feed-spout above the path of said plunger-carrying moldsections toward one end, and a brush engaging said plunger-carrying mold-sections beyond said spout, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2l. In a briqueting-machine, a pair of upper and lower traveling belts each formed of an endless series of pivotally-connected links formed with mold-sections, the mold-sections in the links of one belt registering with and cooperating with companionl mold-sections in the links of the other belt and remaining in closerelation thereto through a prolonged course in the movement of the belts, com-s pressing-plungers in the mold-sections of one said series of links, an inclined plane in the path of said plungers operating to engage and actuate the plungers in the movement along said course to form the briquets, a feed-spout 22. vIn a briqueting-i'nachine, the combination ot' a lower travelingbeltformed with mold-sections and plungers therein, an upper traveling belt formed with mold-coverin g sections, a bed having a bearing-surface for the lower belt across which it moves in the bri` quet-forming operation, an inclined plane'ein.

said bed'in the path of said plungers, and a bed for the upper belt having a bearing-surface parallel with the bearing-surface of said lower-belt bed, across which said upper belt,

moves in the briquet-forming operation.

23. In a briqueting-machine, the combination of a lower traveling belt formed with mold-sections and plungers therein, an upper traveling belt formed with mold-covering sections, a bed provided with antifriction-rollers forming a bearing-surface for the lower belt across which it moves in the briquet-forming operation, an inclined plane in said bed in the path of said plungers, and a bed for the upper belt having a bearing-surface parallel with the bearing-surface of said lower-belt K bed across which said upper belt moves in the briquet-forming operation.

24. In a briqueting-machine, the combination of a lower traveling belt formed with mold-sections and plu ngers therein, an upper traveling belt formed with mold-covering sections, beds for both said belts provided with antifriction-rollers presenting parallel bearwith said lower belt, and a bearing-surfaceV for said upper belt at`an angle to said lower belt, and an inclined plane in the path of said plungers, all constructed to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM A. KNEMAN.

In presence of- L. HEISLAR, ALBERT D. BAoo. 

